Chapter 136: Outrage

The Summit!

The cave fell silent. Hu Yan Dao was deep in thought, head bowed and eyes lowered, and everyone was staring at him.

No one knew what he would decide; they all awaited his final word.

After a while, Hu Yan Dao slowly said, "It's still the same — this is just your side of the story. I need to verify its authenticity. If the Su Yuanzong sect truly comes to silence us after hearing the news, then I'll believe what you said."

Shi Chun and the others breathed a sigh of relief; these words amounted to an agreement.

"Alright, we'll follow Brother Hu Yan's arrangements," Shi Chun replied earnestly, though inwardly amused. He knew, by putting himself in their shoes, that the other party couldn't resist the allure of the top spot.

"Wait for my arrangements," Hu Yan Dao nodded slightly, then turned his head and instructed, "Junior Brother Mao, please arrange for them."

Mao Zhong, who was standing nearby, immediately extended his hand and invited Shi Chun and the others, "Please follow me."

Shi Chun and his companions immediately covered themselves with tarpaulins again and took their leave.

"Brother Chu, please stay," Hu Yan Dao called out, stopping Chu Jing Tang, who was about to leave with them.

Chu Jing Tang had no choice but to stop and ask him, "Brother Hu Yan, what are your instructions?"

With the others gone from the cave, Su Yuanzong looked delighted. He approached his senior brother and said, "Senior Brother, Shi Chun's method is brilliant! If we follow this, with such a move at the final crucial moment, we won't have to do anything but can simply claim victory! Our Baishuchuan will become renowned throughout the world, and your position as champion, Senior Brother, will also be famous across the land. Upon returning, discreetly revealing our efforts and strategy to the sect will surely count as a great achievement!"

Mu Lan Dao also didn't beat around the bush; he intently watched her expression and said, "Sheng Zhou and Gao Ruo are still alive!"

Su Yuanzong sighed and nodded slightly, saying, "Senior Brother is right. Since a decision has been made, we shall obey."

Mu Lan Dao said, "For now, no. Before we deal with Sheng Zhou and the others, the Chu Jing Tang sect wouldn't dare to do anything to us. If I dare to confront them, they'll naturally have to weigh the consequences. Before I go, you few should also make some preparations, just in case."

A hint of bitterness flashed across Mu Lan Dao's face. He asked himself honestly, "Do I dare?" Indeed, he didn't.

Mu Lan Dao turned and asked again, "Brother Chu, how many people know about this Chu Jing Tang sect's matter?"

Few people received such treatment, which was a result of Baishuchuan's strong support for the Chu Jing Tang sect.

It was as if he was asking, "Do you dare to use this to threaten them?"

Mu Lan Dao said, "You should be able to feel my intentions towards you. If I were to say I want you to marry me, would you refuse?"

Mu Lan Dao uttered an 'Oh,' then earnestly continued, "Brother Chu, this is no small matter. Before it's verified, you absolutely must not spread it around."

Mu Lan Dao said, "From my side, for fear of being silenced, the person who proactively came to me today has been temporarily appeased."

"Good," Xu Lang Yu nodded in agreement.

Su Yuanzong expressed some concern, saying, "What if the Chu Jing Tang sect develops malicious intentions and tries to silence them?"

Xu Lang explained that the Chu Jing Tang sect is not only the top sect in the Xu Lang domain, but also the top sect in Shen Sheng Continent. It is deeply rooted and powerful; some taboos mean that even the Domain Lord must show them some deference, whether it's on the Heavenly Court side or the Royal Court side. As long as Wang Sheng can take first place, the Domain Lord won't care who is first within the Xu Lang domain.

Guan and Chao immediately understood and entered.

Anyway, the general meaning was that Xu Lang Yu and the Chu Jing Tang sect had too vast a difference in strength. Their virtue was not commensurate with the position; forcefully seizing the top spot would only bring trouble. If they fully supported the Chu Jing Tang sect to take first place, and Xu Lang Yu still had a chance at seventh place, the Chu Jing Tang sect, if they had any sense, would know what to do.

Yuan Jian Gong said, "It's not very well known. I don't know if he told anyone else besides us."

Xu Lang Yu nodded repeatedly, "Of course I know that, and I will absolutely not spread it around. However, I estimate that this matter is very likely true. When Wang and Gao were detained by Yan Ji at the time, many of us saw it with our own eyes, and then they mysteriously disappeared. Alas." He shook his head and sighed, quite lamenting the decline of morality.

"What kind of place is Youxia Mountain? It's not well-known, barely heard of. How could disciples from such an obscure, corner sect manage to escape from the Chu Jing Tang sect alive? I can't quite understand it."

Mu Lan Dao was direct: "Wherever you want to resolve it, I'll lure the person there. You arrange the manpower yourself." Xuan Zhou Qing Qing, without hesitation, said, "Yes! If you can help me this time, you will be the best friend outside of my Chu Jing Tang sect."

Mu Lan Dao frowned, his face grimacing, and said, "A good person ruined like this. That sect's Xu Lang Yu, right? Junior Brother, remember this person; if we really have the chance, we can't let him go. How dare he bully us in Wang Sheng, as if we have no one left!"

They traveled straight for over four hundred li. Su Yuanzong was surprised, "What instructions did Shi Chun give?"

Mu Lan Dao said, "You know I've always supported him. How to deal with it is up to you."

If he still had to help them perform two more times, then that first place absolutely couldn't be touched. Who could guarantee that this matter wouldn't spread later and ruin Xu Lang Yu's reputation? Once the Chu Jing Tang sect found out it was Xu Lang Yu playing tricks behind the scenes, that would be an even bigger deal than stealing their first place; they would definitely retaliate.

After a long silence, Xuan Zhou Qing Qing didn't ask what those two were doing, but directly asked, "Where are the people?"

Mu Lan Dao obliquely replied, "Do you think it's that easy to get first place in Wang Sheng?"

The frosty Xuan Zhou Qing Qing's brows slightly moved. She tilted her head, signaling to her two junior brothers.

In another newly opened cave, Xuan Zhou Qing Qing, Guan Ying Jie, and Chao Zhi Lin were all present.

Mu Lan Dao turned around and said, "Go back and explain to a few junior brothers. I'm going to Xuan Zhou Qing Qing's side to talk with her face-to-face."

When he previously received word from the Chu Jing Tang sect, he hadn't felt much, but seeing the person today—such a beautiful person actually harmed by villains—made him furious just thinking about it.

With no one else in the cave, Xuan Zhou Qing Qing said, "Mu Lan, we've worked together for so long, there's no harm in speaking directly."

Su Yuanzong was slightly stunned. "We don't need to do too much; we just need to go with the flow, and it will be easily obtained. How can that be difficult to get?"

"Baishuchuan," Chu Jing Tang directly reminded him, having been clearly indoctrinated repeatedly. "They also thought she was dead, but later she contacted them using a mother-child talisman. We don't know how she escaped; we couldn't even ask it out of her. Alas, the person has been so ruined that she's barely recognizable, and now she's withdrawn and rarely speaks to anyone."

You should understand the reasoning behind this. If sects from other continents win against the Chu Jing Tang sect, their Domain Lord would be very pleased. If the Chu Jing Tang sect dared to openly cause trouble, their Domain Lord would certainly not stand by, otherwise, where would their dignity be? Who would obey orders in the future? If sects from other continents win, it wouldn't necessarily affect Xu Lang Yu much. Some things are just like this: better to side with an outsider than to lose to one of your own.

Even the usually composed Xuan Zhou Qing Qing couldn't control herself this time; her expression suddenly shook, her eyes like cold stars, staring intently into the other's eyes.

Mu Lan Dao said, "If it's truly that effortless, and we can just lie back and take first place, then our Baishuchuan will take it."

"Alright, alright, alright," Yuan Jian Gong cupped his hands in farewell.

I wasn't joking just now. As long as the other party dared to propose it, I would truly agree to marry them. Even if they asked me to pledge myself to them right now, I would agree without the slightest hesitation.

Not taking up that topic, she changed the subject, saying, "Are we friends?"

Mu Lan Dao smiled, "After we go out, I'll treat you to a meal."

Chao Zhi Lin personally went to the cave entrance to welcome them in. "Brother Mu Lan, you must have something important to discuss, coming here so late."

Xuan Zhou Qing Qing: "What do you want to do?"

Mu Lan Dao strode away, walked to the cave entrance, pulled out a wind scale, cast a spell to control it, and his figure quickly disappeared into the starry sky.

It was fortunate that Xu Lang had warned me beforehand; otherwise, I might have been blinded by greed regarding that Sheng Zhou Dao. With such leverage in their hands, I wouldn't have been able to sleep or eat in peace. So, it's not a matter of betrayal; I'm simply following Xu Lang's wishes and fully supporting Xu Lang Yu to win the championship.

Xuan Zhou Qing Qing said cleanly and concisely, "No problem."

Mu Lan Dao instantly understood. No more needed to be said. What Xu Lang had said was indeed true. The Chu Jing Tang sect — who knows what they were thinking? They actually did such a thing. They usually seemed like a clever bunch, so how could they not even deal with types like Sheng Zhou and Gao Ruo?

Xuan Zhou Qing Qing: "Speak. What are your conditions?"

Hu Yan Dao waited until Shi Chun and the others jumped out of the cave before asking, "Is that beautiful woman their junior sister? I remember Su Yuanzong seemed to have sent word that the junior sister of Wang and Gao was defiled and died by someone from Sheng Zhou, and that all parties should not let go of whoever that Bai-something person was, and so on."

Mu Lan Dao: "Oh, I've long admired Brother Chu's character. You can trust me. Go back and rest for now. I'll figure out how to arrange the rest."

Xuan Zhou Qing Qing: "The marriage of a Chu Jing Tang sect disciple requires the sect's approval. My promise is useless, especially for a disciple like me, who is considered to be under scrutiny within the sect. Of course, if you insist on this condition, I can agree."

Mu Lan Dao sighed deeply with emotion, "The sect gave instructions not to compete with the Chu Jing Tang sect for first place. They specifically instructed that even if there was an opportunity to get first, we shouldn't take it, but instead fully support the Chu Jing Tang sect in winning the championship. At the time, I was full of ambition and couldn't understand, so I asked why."

"Who wouldn't be?" The remaining junior brother, named Xu Lang Yu, also couldn't swallow his anger because of Xiang Lan'er's beauty. He nodded, "Remember this. If that sect's Jin Zaogong falls into my hands, I'll definitely not let him go." Guan Ying Jie and Chao Zhi Lin exchanged silent glances. Mu Lan Dao pondered, shaking his head slightly, "If he were to propose helping me win the championship, I'd still be a bit hesitant, worried that the Chu Jing Tang sect would be unfavorable to us. But when he mentioned winning the championship, it actually made me confused and reminded me of the instructions the sect gave me before I left."

They arrived in a valley with faint purple flames. After someone reported their arrival, there was a reply: Xuan Zhou Qing Qing invited them in.

Whether or not one thought about it, she was beautiful and extraordinary, and so outstanding. Which man wouldn't be tempted? But the strength of the two great sects differed too vastly; they were mismatched. He had no right to speak, no confidence to make such a proposal.

This matter had too great an impact on the sect's reputation. It was a major mistake I made, and I am willing to pay any price to rectify it.